Chisoxfn

QUOTE(VAfan @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 01:01 PM) Sounds like you agree with my post above (#275). But what do you do about 3B? Happy with Ozuna? Willing to rely on Crede's back? Where's Herb Perry when you need him? One thing I differ on. I don't trade Juan Uribe. No if's ands or buts. He's way too valuable to this club. I'd give up prospects or whatever else, keep Juan and let him play 3rd, ss, and 2nd to keep the rest of the guys fresh and if anyone goes down for an extended period in the infield you have Juan to plug in. Than in 2006, the Sox can move Omar somewhere else to re-open a starting spot for Juan if they'd like.

QUOTE(dasox24 @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 03:22 PM) I've got a question for anyone that has played NCAA before on both a PS2 and an XBOX: Which system should I get the game for? I just got the XBOX and haven't played any sports games on it, so I don't know what to do. Xbox hands down. I just picked up the game (haven't yet played it) but ever since I bought my Xbox (also on a ps2) I always get games on Xbox. Only exception was the last Grand Theft Auto simply because I didn't want to wait 6 months till It came out on Xbox. A little better frame rate, more importantly way faster load times. Xbox owns

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 03:43 PM) El Duque is aging quickly. His batting average against this year is almost .300. He does have a 9-3 career post season record. However, he is 1-3 since 2001. Expecting him to be the savior this postseason would not be wise IMHO. This is not the Orlando Hernandez of 1998. His shoulder is beat up. Cunning and guile can only get you so far when you can't spot your pitches. Why does everyone talk about what El Duque did 5 years ago. El Duque wasn't huge in the post-season last year for the Yanks and he's been lousy this season (despite his record). If a guy doesn't show anything during the regular season than why should we all of a sudden expect him to kick butt in the post season. The past is the past and I have to think people need to move on. Basically Dick, I agree with everything you said and I'm so sick of hearing the El Duque is clutch in the post-season argument. It was a solid signing simply because he's better than the prior 5th starters, but at the same time it was a stupid signing because El Duque isn't a good pitcher (unless he's been hurt this hole time and by all means I hope I'm proven wrong) and I shudder at the thought of him on the team next year. All that said the Sox are going to need him to step up down the stretch, unless of course they acquire another starter, in which case I fully believe you can kiss Duque goodbye.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Jun 24, 2005 -> 08:54 AM) I'm surprised no one has talked about this... I think it's BULL s***. Discuss... and I'll join in the fray later saying why I think what I do on this issue. Its total crap. I understand if its for interestates and highways but its another thing for businesses and other things. Its totally unfair for the people who live at the property getting taken away just because another business or business entity could earn the city more money.

QUOTE(DePloderer @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 08:24 AM) Admin, I'm still looking for the Union Jack smilie! Its been added

Thats it. He pitched pretty well and will throw a side session down in Florida in front of Ozzie.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 09:43 AM) Would Vizquel be as unselfish as Iguchi has been? I know Omar is a great hitter and can do little things, but I don't know exactly how he is with going 0-1 by hitting behind the runner. To me he is one of the best in the biz at doing that.

Personally I think the Soxtalk Fantasy Experiences are a better value Dinner with Jason (Chisoxfn) @ Mortons - Free - Cover his meal and travel expenses and he'll be there, whether he likes you or not Post like 2k5 for a day - $100 - For one day you can feel what it is to be the great Southsider. We will inflate your post count to greater than 2k's, so you too can know what its like to be Soxtalk's leading poster Become an admin for a day - $1000 - This is Soxtalk's best buy. You can become an admin for a day. See what goes on in the admin board, who do we gossip about, whose the next person to get banned. We even have pools of when certain posters will get banned Ban a Poster - Sox Tickets, Travel Expenses, and lots of booze - Fly all the admins out to Chicago, give us tix to a few games and buy us beer and we'll ban whoever the hell you want. Heck, if were drunk enough, we may even ban ourselves So come try out the Soxtalk experience....all money will go to a great cause (the admins pockets).

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 09:27 AM) I don't know if I like that idea. Iguchi has been perfect in the 2 slot. If Vizquel comes in, he should be down in the order, possibly 9th to be able to have Vizquel, Pods, and Iguchi up in order. I could buy that method. I just feel Iguchi is made to be a .280 hitter with 15-20 Hr's and good gap power. If he moves to a production spot I think you'll see that come out and at the same time the Sox will be sliding in a better version of Iguchi (the 2 hole hitter Iguchi) emerge in the 2 spot in Omar Vizquel (who flat out can handle a bat with the best of them). To me its basically allowing Iguchi to play more of his game down in the lineup while the Sox also upgrade to a little better 2 hole hitter in Omar (and its hard to do much better than Guchi has). As far as Huff goes, I wouldn't trade for him unless they want him at 1B or OF. No way should the Sox ruin what has helped them (ie a good defense). Just like if they trade a reliever they better be acquiring as good of one or a better one because the bullpen is also a large part to why the team is where it is at this point in the season.

QUOTE(quickman @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 09:24 AM) And we don't have a guy hitting over 300. We do have pitching though and thats what we need. Exactly, make what got you to this point stronger (ie the rotation and pen) while adding a guy like Vizquel to pump a little juice into the lineup. The move makes sense cause Uribe can turn into an ultimate platoon guy (and he will still play in probably 4 games a week between 3rd, SS, and 2B) and is a great backup plan if anyone goes down. Ozuna as the last guy off the bench (with stellar speed).

QUOTE(quickman @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 09:20 AM) We have allstars but I wouldn't say we have superstars. I don't think Garland is a superstar, or Pods. Allstars to me mean they had good first halves. LEts just end this because we disagree and nothing you or I will say will convince me otherwise. I say you need to get better players, you say they are good as they stand. I will be more than happy to say your right..but your not! Only superstar the Sox may have is Frank Thomas and who knows with that. If Frank gets his average up to the .275 range at the end of the season and stays healthy he could have a major impact the way he's clobbering the ball (power wise). Big big if though and once again I agree though. Other teams are going to get better, Sox will too (Kenny has the guts...hopefully it will pan out).

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 09:17 AM) I think we are comparable teams to the Angels and Marlins... but D-Backs basicly won the series because of RJ/Schilling not because the rest of the team. If the Sox get Jason Schmidt and he pitches like he's capable (thats obviously a question-mark) than they do will have the ability go into the playoffs and potentially dominate based on pitching. Personally I'd like to see the Sox add Schmidt, Vizquel, and a quality reliever. If they do that they'd have 4 good starters (Contreras as the 5th and into the pen in the playoffs) as well as a very strong pen (especially if they could add a guy like Everyday Eddie) and a very solid lineup. Just imagine moving Guchi down to the 6th spot with Vizquel in the 2 hole. Guchi is the type of player that could produce at a higher clip (production wise) if moved down. Not to say Guchi isn't a good 2 hole hitter (he is) but he could also have a lot of success in a more production oriented spot, imo. I think Kenny should go all out and there are only a few pieces I'd really hold onto. Brandon McCarthy is one of the guys I'd like to see the Sox keep, but the only can't trade guy I have is Chris Young (I'll deal other guys).

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 09:07 AM) D-backs had a horribly overage lineup, except for the 1-2 punch, but were still very overmatched on paper. The Angels were extremely overmatch, not only in the lineup but in the bullpen, starting rotation. The Marlins were overmatched in every level of the playoffs, but were very together and motivated, which helped them prevail. If you remember correctly, one of the reason that the Yankees starting winning WS titles, was because the team was cohesive and scrappy, it wasnt until after that time period that they started really buying whole teams. As far as the Angels go, that bullpen was an asset. They had Donnelly, Weber (who was kicking butt that year), Percy and the well known emergence of Frankie Rodriguez. Donnelly and Weber had few rough games in the post-season but that pen was a strength and has been a strength ever since. Won't disagree with you on the Dbacks lineup, however, never underestimate what two horses can do for a team in the playoffs cause RJ and Curt were insane. And your right on the Yanks. The other big thing is they didn't just have a bunch of guys that could hit hr's, they also had guys willing to move people around and play to their roles. Right now they are stuck with quite a few players that just don't play smart baseball and it hurts them. They also are sagged with a lot of past talents who are not in their prime anymore.

QUOTE(JimH @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 09:04 AM) IMO it's just a matter of time before Williams brings in the reinforcements. He will add to the team, not go hog wild with trades. I get the feeling the fans in Birmingham, Winston-Salem and Kannapolis might not be happy, but that's the way it goes sometimes. They should just make the fans in Charlotte even more miserable

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 09:01 AM) Tell that to the Marlins, Angels, Diamondbacks etc etc etc I'm assuming your referring to those teams not having as much talent as the Yankees (who are always the most talented team in baseball???). However the Marlins and Dbacks had stud pitching carry them through and the Dbacks had one of the best duo's in baseball history just own the post-season. Then the Angels were and are a very talented team, especially with the way they play. There pitching staff was putrid but they were able to find a way to get it done. I think you can always point to reasons why a certain team wins it all. Its quite obvious if the Sox go all the way it will be because of strong pitching, great defense, and timely hitting. You can say that about a whole lot of past champs too. I just think there are rooms to improve on and when your kicking butt like this and have an opportunity like this you shouldn't shy away from adding more talent to the team, in fact you should do all you can to add that player that can put the club over the top.

QUOTE(quickman @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 08:57 AM) I am not sure i understand your point. You brought up the cardinals, now your not thinking about them? The cardinals had practically an allstar team lineup last year with solid pitching. The Whitesox have nothing near superstars, in there lineup. There are no potential MVP's on the whitesox, the cardinals had two last year and possibly a distant third in Edmonds. I'm with you, Cards are the best team in baseball (especially if Mulder pitches like he can). Thats not a knock on the Sox at all, rather a tribute to how good I think the Cards are. However, the addition of Jason Schmidt and Omar Vizquel or players of that magnitude could definately even up the playing field and put the Sox on par with the Cards (they wouldn't have the offense, but that pitching staff would be very nice).

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jul 11, 2005 -> 06:09 PM) Miracle. The US beat those Commies! Could you believe it?? Lol Tony

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 08:44 AM) Whatever guys. Keep doubting the team with the best record in baseball. How many of you thought the Cardinals were going to slide last year? I heard a lot of people saying that, and their pitching was weaker than ours (granted their O was awesome, but no one seems to think that matters when the playoffs roll around). I can't believe how some people to react to one series. And I highly doubt we lose 3 of 4 to Cleveland. The game Elarton pitches is a virtual lock for us, and I expect at least a split in the Garcia/Buehrle games. This is the same team that we are 6-3 against. Nothing has really changed except Hafner heating up and Betancourt being suspended. I thought St. Louis was the best team in the NL last year, if not baseball, so I definately didn't think they would slide last year. I also think they are the best team in baseball thi s year. I love the Sox to death, but I think on paper the Cards and Marlins are both better teams. That said if the Sox met the Marlins in the series, the Sox would win cause they are playing the game right. If it were vs the Cards it would be interesting.

QUOTE(quickman @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 08:37 AM) I am making too much sense my friend. I'm sure I'm not the only one whose shocked at the moment either I think you have Jim speachless in agreement as well

QUOTE(quickman @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 08:22 AM) This is very interesting it appears that many on this board think we can win this thing with the team we have. very interesting, I personally do not think we can. What happens when we lose 3 out of four to the indians, are all the same people going tostart clamoring for a trade? I have seen many Sox teams over decades, outside of 83 and 93 this is the best team I have seen from the sox. As proven in the past, teams like this do not come along very often, to sustain, our luck, our pitching our timely hitting and the mediorcre play of the Twins lately I believe we need to think bigger than the try hard happy go lucky guys we have. Talent will always eventually win over scrappiness. Get better talent, and yes for THIS year visquel would be great, he is proven, batting well, and fielding is equal to Uribe, not to mention he would be a good leader. Furthermore what makes everyone think El Duque is coming back and will not get injured again, or that Crede won't hurt his back, or that injury prone guys like Everett, or dye won't get injured again, or that teams won't figure out iguchi, from all they learned in the first half, or that Thomas won't stub his toe or twist his ankle. We need more. Don't think for a minute Minnesota or the Tribe will stand pat. I totally agree with you quick.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 04:59 AM) I suggested getting him a few weeks ago and was laughed off the board. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/colum...i-sportsnew-hed First off, I still don't see the Rangers dealing Rogers. Secondly, the last thing Ken Williams is going to acquire is a guy who coming in creates a huge distraction for this club (and it would considering the media is still yapping so much over his fiasco). Had he not had that incident, I'd agree that this would be a quality move. But 20 game suspension and the fact that the Rangers aren't going to just give him up (truth be told the Rangers should be buyers for another starting pitcher). All that said, at the right price its worth a look. The big key is making sure his media thing was more a blip on the radar as opposed to an on-going occurence (but the Rangers didn't seem to act as if it was typical Kenny Rogers).

Anyone knocking Rowands defense doesn't watch enough baseball games. He's one of the 5 best defensive outfielders (Only ones I'd even think of putting ahead of him are Jones, Hunter, Edmonds, and possibly Mark Kotsay). Knock Rowand's lack of extra basehits thus far this year, but don't tell me the guy can't play defense. He gets good to great jumps, has a strong arm, and catches pretty much everything hit to him.

I'm sure Dan will love my topic description on Micah. However, I noticed no one had him so I'm taking him. Micah is a converted middle infielder and is slowly becoming a good defensive 3rd baseman. In his rookie season with the organization Micah absolutely tore the cover off the ball en route to becoming a highly rated prospect. After that Micah hit some slumps (mainly due to some injuries which kept him out and effected his swing). Now he's getting healthy and is really starting to turn that gap power into HR power. Micah has a very smooth swing which will lead to lots of Xtra base hits in the future and he has the ability to be a very good average hitter as well. Currently hitting .284, .351 OBP, 10 2B, 2 3B with 11 HR and 39 RBI for Winston Salem Was a career .286 hitter entering this season and was selected by the Sox in the 7th round of the 2002 draft. His favorite player as a child was Frank Thomas.

The 24 year old has pitched well in his first season with AA Birmingham going 10-3 with a 3.46 ERA while limiting opponents to 90 hits in 104 innings.

Tracey is still kicking butt and has the best righty arm in the minors (now that Jenks was promoted). Edited by danman because Jason is retarded.